Merced Art Hop Jan2017

MERCED

01.21.2017

ART HOP MercedArtHop.org l This Inspiration

Haitian Sea Spirits

Lupe Under the Sun interviews Highlights

EDM FASHION Sense

MAH MAGAZINE YOUR LOCAL MUSIC SOURCE

HAITIAN SEA SPIRITS

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RODRIGO REYES

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THE MAP

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FASHION WITH KIM

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THE GARAGE

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LOCAL EDM SCENE

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PUBLISHER Kevin Hammon EDITORIAL John Miller MARKETING Kevin Hammon

Creative Director Kimberly Zamora Graphic Designer Kevin Hammon Layout John Miller PHOTOGRAPHY John Miller Kevin Hammon

Dear Reader and Art Enthusiast, As 2017 gets underway the Merced Art Hop is ramping up efforts to revamp a variety of aspects for our quarterly event.

This year’s themes will include humanity, animal awareness, the environment, and Halloween.

Many of these themes will give us a new set of opportunities to reach out to the community and use art to help create an impact in Merced. Residents can also look forward to 2 Pub Crawl events, as well as 2 Fashion Shows hosted by the organization as we continue our work to create a lively and culture filled downtown area.

This expansion of our event offerings means that we will also be in need of new volunteers and are hoping to grow our board of directors, both of which will help us as we continue to shape our events and branch out to give a new generation of art lovers a chance to impact the arts in Merced.

Kevin Hammon & Kimberly Zamora Art Hop Co-Founders

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kimberly Zamora PRESIDENT/CEO Kevin Hammon BOARD MEMBERS Jared Covert Robert Matsuo Celeste Sharp Kimberly Zamora Kevin Hammon

FIND US WEBSITE : www.MercedArtHop.org FACEBOOK : www.Facebook.com/DowntownMAH TWITTER : www.Twitter.com/MercedArtHop EMAIL : Kimberly@MercedArtHop.org ADVERTISING : 209-658-0661 ADDRESS : Post Office Box 3351 Merced, CA 95344

Notice of CopyrightŠ All materials contained within the Merced Art Hop Quarterly publication are protected by copyright unless otherwise stated, or in the case of any provided materials, the owner of that content retains the copyright. You may not alter, reproduce, distribute, publish, transmit or broadcast any material contained within the Merced Art Hop Quarterly publication without prior consent from the Merced Art Hop Board or other copyright owner. Merced Art Hop Quarterly takes care to ensure that all information is correct at the time of printing; however the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained within the publication or advertisements. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or editorial staff.

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California State Summer School for the Arts Application Deadline or more than three decades, the California State F Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) has served as a primer summer arts program that couples 520 of the state’s

most talented high school artists with established creators.

Program participants study the visual, literary, media, and performing arts during the four-week program hosted at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia. Previous alumni for the program include High School Musical series star Zac Efron, Golden Globe recipient James Franco, Gravity Fall’s creator Alex Hirsch, Animator Pendleton Ward and creator of Adventure Time, Emmy Award-winning animator Craig McCracken, and CBS actresses Kathatine McPhee and Kirsten Vangsness, who held roles in the Scorpion and Criminal Minds series respectively.

igh school students interested in a career in the fields of animation, film, H creative writing, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts will find the month long program invaluable as they study and work alongside of their

artistic peers and professional artists of national stature alike. Those planning on attending a California State University will be able to transfer three units towards their education upon completion of the program. In 2017, the Herb Alpert Scholarships for Emerging Young Artists will provide one shining student from each of the seven categories will also be recognized as the recipient of $40,000 to be awarded over the course of four years, with two students’s receiving a single-year award of $2,500 each.

hose interested in applying to the program have until 6PM on February 28th T to complete their application materials, which includes recommendations forms from school staff or local arts professional in your area and samples of

your work in your chosen medium. Comprehensive fees for the program cover room, board, and tuitions for the duration of the program, and are $1,785 for in-state students and $5,500 for out-of-state students. Financial aid for the program is available, with organizers noting that no student who shows sufficient drive and talent will be denied admission to the program because they cannot afford to pay. For more information or to begin your application to the CSSSA program, log onto CSSSA.CA.Gov or call the organization’s headquarters in Sacramento at 916.229.5160.

Haitian Sea Spirits

Patrick Wilkinson’s most recent studies into aspects of Haiti and Voodoo will be on display inside of the Merced Arts Center until January 28th, with a chance to speak with the researcher during the Merced Art Hop. The new exhibit is an assortment of pieces that look into the Haitian Voodoo spirits associated with the sea that Wilkinson researched during his time as a graduate fellow for the UC Merced Center for the Humanities for past 2 years.

Wilkinson’s interest in Haitian culture began in the 90’s after working with Haitian refugees as a teacher while in Guantanamo. While this time served as a way to deepen his appreciation of Haitian culture and the people, he would soon find himself within the country’s boarders and his current project taking form. “My first trip to Haiti 5 or 6 years ago I was looking around for a research project, and prior to this I was an archeologist" Wilkinson recalled. "While looking at caves in 4

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Haiti across the entire island I realized that all of the caves were being used for Voodoo.” This work would lead him to his dissertation, which would cover the use of caves in Haitian Voodoo, from which the display at the Merced Arts Center would grow.

During his travels, Wilkinson found a small village in Northern Haiti near Bord de Mer that had a local deity, La Siren, which was synchronized with the catholic figure Saint Philomene.

Village locals would organize a small festival bi-weekly that would see 1,000 people flock to the seaside town with a population of 100 people or so, with a summer festival drawing around 20,000 people or so according to Wilkinson.

During the festivals, the many fishermen that make up the village’s population would bring their fish out for sale while other residents set up their sales stalls as travelers began to come into the area. “You end up getting 10 to 50 different Voodoo priests and priestess coming in walking around handing out business cards to anyone that needs ceremonies done.” Wilkinson went on to say that throughout the festival priest and priestess would conduct ceremonies that locals and travelers would partake in while to area saw an influx of Haitian tourists.

Despite what would appear to be a tremendous gathering for the following of Saint Philomene and the Haitian deity of La Siren, Wilkinson found that the celebration was a highlylocalized happening. “If you travel 30 miles away from this village they’ll tell you Saint Philomene and La Siren are the same spirit, and if you go 200 miles away they’ve never heard of it at all,” he explained. “So it is this really interesting local phenomenon that is still evolving.”

The exhibit featuring Wilkinson’s work consists of a multitude of

interviews and photographs with local villagers of those who practiced voodoo or others who lived in the area, with one wall dedicated to La Siren, another to La Siren’s three husbands, and another to the fishing boats and activity present within the village. “I’m a researcher, so the artwork that is in there are pieces I purchased from Haiti and are Haitian artworks,” Wilkinson noted of the work.

“My hope was that the photographs in my research would represent the artwork that I had purchased. In some cases this was easy but in other cases this was a little bit more difficult to find things that represented what was in the artwork.” Throughout the exhibit, viewers have the opportunity to see Drapo flags, ceremonial drums, and steelworks, which are all used within the context of Voodoo.

When asked what he hopes viewer’s take away from the exhibit, Wilkinson emphasized that the idea that many westerners have of Voodoo is something that is utterly unrecognizable to a Haitian, and as such he hopes to shine a light on the subject so others walk away with more clarity on the subject.

“Westerners have a bizarre idea of what voodoo is based on zombie movies and things like that and what most people don’t realize is that to practice Voodoo you have to be Catholic,” he said. “So, all of those people practicing voodoo are Christians to begin with. There is

no devil worshiping or anything like that, and while some of the images they use are disturbing to westerners, it is because they are misinterpreted.”

Wilkinson goes on to give an example of the use of horns within an image, which is commonly associated with Satan and demons here in the western world, but within the Haitian culture it’s meaning is far from that association.

“In Voodoo, two horns mean strength, because the strongest animal they have is a bull.” Other mistaken beliefs often associated with Voodoo include human sacrifice, which has no documented evidence of it having ever occurred.

“The image we have of Haiti in general, and voodoo in particular, is so skewed and I hope to correct that at least a little bit.”

Overall, Wilkinson feels both his project and the exhibit achieve the same purpose, which is showing the Haitian connection to the sea spirits and voodoo, and that while some of their practices may be different than our own, the similarities are innumerable and common. “The Haitians are looking for the same things that everyone else is. People go to church to pray that their grandmother gets well or they go to church to pray that they’re successful in business. I had a coach in high school that made us pray before every game to beat the other team,” said Wilkinson.

“They are no different.”

Photos Captured by Patrick Wilkinson M A H

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Lupe Under the Sun In today’s political climate policy opinions are plentiful and from healthcare to national security, you don’t usually have to look very far to find one that challenges or resembles your own. But there is one contention line of policies that seem to weave their way into all the others — immigration policy. Local director Rodrigo Reyes explores this subject matter within his works in a way that simply portrays the lives and area around the U.S.—Mexican border, leaving the viewer to incorporate the new material into their view of the world and make their own determinations.

Working alongside a team of creatives spanning the two countries, the subject of the border serves as a touchstone for him personally, as he himself found himself making his way into the United States as a young child and crossing several times since then. Reyes most recent work, Lupe under the Sun, aims to explore the people and lives that are affected by the border and find themselves on the line between most viewpoints. “I’m interested in the spaces between things that we think we know,” say Reyes. “These stories say so much about the whole experience of this country.”

Filmed in Merced using both actors and footage of real people, the project was initially planned as a documentary, before it became clear that the project would soon take on its own life. “I became aware of an immigrant story within my family,” Reyes 6

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local director rodrigo reyes

photos contributed by Rodrigo Reyes

recalled. “I was approached by my cousin who is a writer, and she spoke told me this story about my grandpa.” Intrigued by the story, Reyes began working with his cousin to pull a documentary and narrative style together that incorporated the story of his grandfather. Reyes intends for this unique blend of narrative and documentary that is presented in the final film to take on its own life and challenges the viewer to develop their own ideas of the situation and leave them forming their own questions. “I just feel like people don’t understand the price that people pay to get here,” Reyes

explained. “The conversation is becoming very black and white, and I want to bring one of many stories into focus for people to take into consideration.”

Reyes began his work in film over a decade ago, finishing his first film in 2005.

From the onset of his career, Reyes followed his passion on his own time and by taking in material at film festivals. Throughout his body of work, Reyes has strived to pull together music, story, and imagery and an intense way to depict his view. “I think it’s very important to work with the imagery because they are often what doesn’t line up with what we think,” says Reyes. He went on to explain that as because humans use vision as their primary sense, it serves as film makers well as it is what allows them to bring viewers into another point of view to tell a story. With its ability to transport viewers, should Reyes sees film as both an artistic form as well as an invaluable tool to spread culture that be encouraged in all aspects of life. “There is a value to that, it nourishes you and gives you depth, and it is different for everyone,” said Reyes. “There is a reason why we have art and it is part of our humanity to reflect on ourself, and

I think sometimes we don’t realize that there is a need for that.”

As Merced grows Reyes foresees it serving as an opportunity for film makers such as himself and other artists to do just that. As the city comes into its own, there are countless stories that remain untold in the way that cultural hubs such as L.A. and San Francisco are. By remaining relatively unexplored in terms of the people who live here and their lives, the local area seems to serve as inspiration for many who can use it to spur their creative process. “They just have to build their point of view,” Reyes said of emerging artists. “Once they do that they just need to continue developing their voices.”

Those interested in viewing Reyes work Lupe Under the Sun will get their next chance during the Bay Area Premiere.

The film is being shown as part of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, and will be on the screen inside of the Roxie Theatre on February 12 at 5:00PM and again on February 16th on 7:15PM. Tickets for the film are $12 in advance or $14 at the door.

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Pacifica Senior Living Art Show and Auction

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The Pacifica Senior living highlighted the artistic talents of their residents in December as part of their first annual art show and auction. The first annual Pacifica art show and auction came together after more than six months of preparations, according to Activities Director Rachelle Clark, after residents asked staff and administration about putting on the event. The event featured paintings, photography, sculpture, and drawings.

Clark noted that in addition to bringing the community into the facility to take a look at the talent offered by the artists, the show served a much greater purpose.

“Many of them have been into their art form for their whole lives,” explained Clark. “It seems that it has really made them feel whole and proud to see their work displayed like this.” Clark went on to say that the positive uplifting effect applied to both those who had been involved in the visual arts all their lives as well as those who were just getting started. “This event had brought out residents who don’t participate in a lot of our events, but they came out to help with the show,” said Clark. “Getting them out with this event led to them blossoming and gaining a new understanding about everyone around them.”

The event kicked off with a belly dancing demonstration from local belly dance instructor Gzitana Bianca of Bellydance Magique. Adding a spark of culture to the event, the performance involved traditional dancing from the Middle East as well as short lessons that invited the residents to show off their moves.

Originally from New York, Bianca made her way to Merced to help her elderly M A H

parents who live in the area. Once settled, she returned to what she knew best, and began sharing her culture and dancing with the community. Bianca stated that she began to work with the senior community to share the individualistic dance style as a way to bring a new type of recreation to the group and a smile to their faces.

At the conclusion of the belly dancing demonstration, those in attendance made their way around the gallery featuring dozens of works created from throughout established artists creative periods and as well as more recent works created while at Pacifica. Currently, staff is looking forward to planning their next successful art show and auction for 2017. As they do so, you can bet that the Senior Living Center’s most creative residents will be behind the effort as they put together fresh work for the next show.

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ince its founding in 1991 by Reverend Tom Miller, the Merced County Rescue Mission has worked to transform the lives of those in Merced County who are in need both physically and spiritually. To this end, the mission has provided support to those in need through emergency sustenance, rehabilitation programs, skills training, and awareness programs for the community. With each individual that the mission takes in, their ultimate goal is to see a transformation take place within the person, and to that end, the use of art as a tool to help facilitate that transformation has been incorporated into the organization’s toolbox.

Through ceramics tile projects and selfportrait work, the Merced County Rescue Mission has helped those they serve view themselves in a new light according to Director of Development & Marketing for the mission Phillip Schmauss. Many of these projects have been led by local artists Monika Modest, who has served as a volunteer teacher for years with the Merced County Rescue Mission. “She first came to us with the Wings of Hope Project that was for Valley Crisis Center,” Schmauss recalled. ”She then came with us for a second project that she did for the mission where we glazed angels, and then people would come to the mall and purchase one of the angels that had families identified on them.” Through each project, Schmauss and other members of the Merced County Rescue Mission noticed something happening with those they help.

Our clients get into touch with certain emotions or feelings that they didn’t know existed by using the creative artistic process.

A lot of them tap into and realize that they really do have some artistic abilities” Schmauss explained. This realization by their clients helped fuel a transformation within people who had come from the streets or jail, where they went from “a guy who might have a criminal charge for terroristic threats or manslaughter to one that is sitting down gently glazing a butterfly or poppy using very interesting colors like

pinks and purples.” Schmauss went on to say that by opening up this door, staff at the Merced County Rescue Mission were able to shift participant’s way of thinking about themselves as someone whose activities may be classified as problematic by society to someone who was able to contribute to a greater whole with their role.

Schmauss attributes this paradigm shift in their thinking to being involved in efforts that have brought in a total of $14,000 in funds to the mission and have helped to beautify the local area through Modest’s use of the final glazed tiles in public art installations. By being a part of something that has helped the community in a subjective fashion as well as helped their circumstances in an objective manner, they begin to see a bigger picture that they are a part of.

Gina Thomas, a program participant, echoed these sentiments, noting that despite what she believed was a lack of artistic ability; the projects had a beneficial impact on her. “The self-portrait project was very healing and it worked to help me become very confident with myself,” said Thomas. She went on to explain the specifically, the project served as a type of mirror for her, where she was able to see what the hard work she had completed at the Merced County Rescue Mission had resulted in. “It was one of the first times I saw the change from what I was on the streets to where I am now,” she recalled.

Residents are currently awaiting the installation of the most recent project they participated in alongside of Modest, the Poppies Galore project that asked participants to glaze a variety of local flowers. Now complete, the project will be installed as a mosaic to line the cement flagpole enclosure located in Downtown Merced’s Bob Hart Square. Current estimations given by Modest for the pieces installation place the project’s completion at the end of January to early February, but is dependent upon clear skies to allow the mosaic to set and dry thoroughly before the next rain.

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Info 1 Table B 14

HaitianVodou _ Photographer Patrick Wilkinson + Vector Star Wars Fan Film by Violette Films TBA 2. Tigers and Daggers Paul Longo + Izaiah Torres 3. Red Sky 4. Arbor Walkway Artists 5. Stone Bowl Wes Richard (Seattle) + Dawg House Glass (Modesto) 6. 500 B=L=O=C=K Danny Loreto Mary Lou Brinich 7. MAH Epekel Gallery Dob Francise 8. At the Pier 9. Cold Stone Creamery Brittany McCarthy 10. 400 BLOCK Austin Castro 11. Coffee Bandits Unnamed Della Salas 12. Merced Antique Mall 13. Vanity Rose Salon Ashlee Chan 14. Bob Hart Square Video Art Installation Adrian M. Garcia 15. Five-Ten-Bistro 16. Country Comfort Julia Parker + Darlene Adams + Jonathan Mondragon + Crioni Love Cuenca + LuLu Gamez Jonathan Vazquez + David Granger Sofia Prado 17. Second Time Around Sandee Smith 18. Le Bebe Boutique George R. Balliet + Shane Patrick Irvine 19. Binary Systems CPU Repair DJ Punjabi + Video Art Installation 20. 600 BLOCK 1. MCAC

Music > DJ Punjabi [600 Block] + Unnamed [Coffee Bandits] Video Art Installations [Bob Hart Square] = [600 Block] Animation by Brittany McCarthy: Local artist and now a story Board Revisionist for “Bobs Burger’ on fox television

Vector Star Wars Fan Film by Violette Films

The area will be a ”STAR WARS EXPERIENCE” with props from the film, Model ships and a few members of the 501st Star Wars Troopers to meet and take pictures for Star Wars fans.

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January 21, 2017 5|9pm

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Exhibitions

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THE MAP

MAC [Haitian Vodou Photographer Patrick Wilkinson] 645 W Main St Bob Hart Square [Interactive Art Activities + Video Art Installations] MAH Epekel Gallery [Mary Lou Brinich] 1733 Canal St Arbor Walkway North/South [Arbor Walk Artist] 500 BLOCK Interactive Art Activities & Location: Kids of all nations + Multicultural Puzzles + Slot Fit Sculpture + Coral Reef Basket + Watercolor Resist Art Prints + Humanity Board [Bob Hart Square]

Live Painting Contest!

We need people to paint a masterpiece or expressionist piece during art hop.

The theme is “HUMANITY”, this project is a fun way to get people to paint and be creative. Check-in MAH information table in Bob Hart Square.

A FARM TO TABLE DINNER EVENT

Downtown Businesses working together to revitalize downtown - please support our downtown!

Bob Hart Square and Main Street

ThursDAY SeptEMBER 26, 2017 6:00 P.M.

Tickets will be available on Eventbrite

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FAVORITE SPRING 2017 FASHION TRENDS by Kimberly Zamora Fashion Blogger : Designer : Artist Follow me on Instagram @kimberlymaezamora #kimberlymzamora kimberlyzamora.com

Cuff >

CALENDAR of Events and Classes exhibitions : workshops : kids & adult art classes : paint parties

january 21 27

exhibiton reception 5-9 artist mary lou brinich paint party 5:30-8

February 10 24

diy workshop 5:30-7:30 paint party 5:30-8

march 04 17 31

fashion show st patricks day restaurant & pub crawl paint party 5:30-8

for applications, fees, schedules, tickets & more visit us: web: mercedarthop.org ph: 209.658.0661 email: kimberly@mercedarthop.org

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The Garage DAY 1 by Chris Moreno Aftershock 2016 was possibly my favorite year of the festival so far. In its 5th year, I think the promoters have found a solid venue at Discovery Park in Sacramento after switching last year to Gibson Ranch (anyone remember the parking lot fiasco??)

The weather was perfect, the venue was running smoothly & the line-up was about as good as it gets in the rock festival world these days. One problem right from the get go is the check in gates. They had “Media” and “Artist Check In” lines mixed up, it was a mess. Other than a super long check in, we were impressed by how smooth things went from that point on.

Saturday was pretty impressive. Tool tickets are a hard ticket to get these days, so having them as headliners pretty much insured that it would sell out, which it did. Also on the bill for Saturday was a reinvigorated Slayer on the other main stage, which has its own devoted fan base that scream “SSSLLAAYYERRR!!” in

DAY1

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anticipation for the heaviest mosh pit of the weekend. Primus was a great choice to open right before TOOL, almost like Lollapalooza ’91, the festival had a very nostalgic but fresh vibe with its diverse roster of artists.

Meshuggah’s complex timings & heavy vocals were a bit much for the casual rock fan, but for the musicians in the crowd, you could tell they were blown away. Anthrax & Scott Ian are always a blast to see, they have a recharged energy about them lately that is really fun to watch live. Baroness is a band that has really hit their stride & you can tell by the crowd size & response at Aftershock this year that they have big plans in store in the coming years.

Another group that surprised our group was Avatar, all the way from Gothenburg, Sweden these guys had a great stage show & they dressed up like some kind of demonic carnival workers, great riffs & stage presence, it was their American festival debut, so watch out for them to be

back soon! Also rounding out the bill on the smaller 3rd stage & earlier in the day was Deafheaven & Face To Face, both bands that are better enjoyed in small clubs, a bit out of place on the lineup, but it was revealed to us with an exclusive interview with Face To Face that the promoters were actually planning on having a “Punk Rock Themed Stage” at Aftershock this year, but it fell through.

The Garage was out there for Media for our 3rd year in a row & we were lucky to secure interviews with up & coming bands like Them Evils, Big Jesus & Aeges, which are always a blast to do, the bands are so

Keeping Merced Hopping For Another Century © 2016 License 0358327

enthusiastic & happy to be there. Make sure you check out our specialty show ‘The Garage’ online at Facebook.com/ TheGarageRockShow for our set list of our re-cap that weekend. All in all, this was the best year yet for Aftershock. The promoters are taking chances with booking diverse artists that are up and coming, underground & unknown and mixing that with staples of the rock industry. It’s a great combination & if they continue this trend in the coming years, Afterchock should be a force to be reckoned with.

For more info visit us on facebook @thegaragerockshow and tune-in to join Chris & Dalia every Saturday night on 105.7 FM from 6pm - 7pm as we play our favorite Punk, Alternative, Reggae, EDM, Rock, Local artists & more!

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DAY2 The Interview Merced Art Hop Magazine had the opportunity to talk with Nathan Giguiere and crew from during AfterShock festival at Discovery Park in Sacramento last October an boy did we fall in love with this band. Not only are they dedicated to Rock Music there songs go deeper and are reaching

‘Some Fear None’

out to our

Veterans.

MAH Mag: So you guys are going to be back in the studio soon from what I understand?

Gina Salatino: Yeah, so our tour is kind of done for this year and we are just going to go into isolation and start working on some different ideas that we’ve had and turning those ideas into songs and produce something.

MAH Mag: You guys are local from Sacramento?

Charles Carrasco: Yeah, the greater Sacramento area.

Gina Salatino: Within an hour and a half drive from each other.

MAH Mag: How did you guys come together?

How long have you guys been together?

Nathan Giguiere: A Roughly 6 years Charles Carrasco: We are working on 7 years. Jason and I have a pretty deep history, we have been in bands before.

Gina and I also have

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while. ago.

performed together for quite some time. Really what you have here is two power couples Gina Salatino: It is. It’s two power couples. Nathan and I are actually bound to each other by marriage. He is married to my older sister. We are brother and sister in law so we have family ties as well as musical ties, and then he solicited me to the band.

MAH Mag: You guys have dog tags on, tell me about that?

Nathan Giguiere: This was my little brothers.

He gave me this after he served about eight solid years in combat and when he got back home safe we had written a couple songs and the lyrical structure was written around the different experiences of those that serve our country experience actually in combat or even when they come home the battles they face internally. I’ve seen him struggle with a few things and me as his older brother thought how can I help as a brother. Music was a big thing in his life and so I thought what a great way to honor my brother, him and those like him, who serve or have served to create an anthem in some way where we are saying, you know, that we get them. We don’t know what it is like because we haven’t been there, but we can try and put ourselves in their shoes. So there was In Theater, it was a song we wrote off of the first album, Break Hold and Elevate. Then off of this new album, I appreciate the band, they allowed me to continue a song in that avenue, and the new song is called ‘Monuments’ off of the new album. So I wear this because of my little brother. He is alive and well and doing quite well and I’m proud of him.

MAH Mag: If I were to take something back home to the fans trying to make music, trying to get out there or struggling, or wondering about the arts what would you say to them?

Gina Salatino: Being in a band I don’t think is as easy as I think our fans would like to think that it is. Being in a band is very much like a job sometimes. Its hard work and dedication and persistence. I think what has made us as a four so very successful is the fact that we have very scheduled rehearsal and days and time and there is not a question whether these guys show up. It’s hard work and persistence really. So when you think it’s going nowhere, what’s the definition of nowhere? If you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re passionate about it and it’s

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a part of you and its how you express yourself, just keep doing it.

Jason: Right, dedicated persistence.

Dedication is the main thing. Make sure you love it make sure the art you’re creating is first and foremost the height of the totem pole.

Gina Salatino: Because if you do it for the wrong reasons, you’re never going to be successful. http://www.somefearnone.com/music M A H 17

Aftershock Festival

Where: Azteca Theater, Fresno When: February 4th Type: Venue Price: $

Wap, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, and Lil Yachty. Here could be why: EDM has been hitting the mainstream media for the past couple of years, and it’s

Sam Fuerte Raving since: 2014 Favorite EDM Genres: Bass House, Deep House, Trap Woah woah woah, now hold on just a minute! You’re telling me that rappers are now appearing at raves as well? I thought it was just all DJ’s!? Last year and this year I have noticed that there has been artists appearing at EDM Music festivals and events with names such as Rae Sremmurd, Fetty

from artists like I have mentioned above. A lot of these artists are known for their beats anyway, so why not actually have them perform their sets at an EDM event right?

ED

appealing a lot of people who listen "You’re telling me th to rap/hip hop because appearing at R they are hearing their favorite songs get Having this mix of both mixed into a set. The rappers and DJ’s will closest genre to that in help expand the EDM EDM would be Trap. A lot community since people of trap artists mix music going for the rappers Event: Crush SF Where: San Francisco, CA

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When: February 11th Type: Massive Price: $$

Event: Datsik – Ninja Nation Tour 2017 Where: Rainbow Ballroom, FresnoWhen: March 2nd Type: Venue Price: $

will be exposed to other genres of music, however it does have a downside to it. Raves are known for their PLUR (peace love unity and respect) and bringing in new

happiness that they once did where everybody felt like a friend. If this trend of bringing rappers into the scene continues it will be interesting to see how it plays out, whether it will be a change for the better or for worse.

I know it will be a discouraging change for all the old school ravers out there that like to keep the now scene

DM

hat rappers are RAVES as well?" people who aren’t used to this concept might discourage ravers from going to events because they won’t feel the

underground like it was back in the 90’s. From my personal experience of being at raves where it is a mix of ravers and non-

ravers I have noticed that the people are a lot ruder and get messed up to the point where it doesn’t even seem like they are enjoying the music. To really turn this around though it is going to take some action, the ravers have to show newcomers what PLUR is all about, so it can be passed along others who want to get into the scene and remain a stronghold so the scene does not die out. If you want to help spread the PLUR this year here are some events that are coming up within the next few months!

Price Range: $ = $10-$20 — $$ = $30$70 $$$ = $80-110 — $$$$ = $120 & Up

Event: Coachella Where: Coachella, CA When: April 14-16 & April 21-23 (2 weekend event) Type: Festival Price: $$$ M A H

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Classes for Children and Adults at the MAC The next session of art classes for children at the Merced Arts Center are scheduled to begin in February and include something for every young creative.

Class sessions will run for up to 13 weeks, meeting once a week for 55 minutes.

Those interested in enrolling for multiple classes have the opportunity to do so and receive an additional 10% discount of the $100 registration.

Classes include opportunities for children ages 5-16 an opportunity to explore the Jurassic period as they create their own 2-D and 3-D dinosaurs in Dinotastic

Art or use their imaginations to create art with clay in Clay Modeling, both led by Lulu Games. Sandee Smith will be teaching the basics of observational skills and principals in her FUNdamentals of Drawing or Painting and helping students explore the fundamentals of painting through observational skills in Landscapes, Seascapes, and Outerspace.

Those interested in learning how to create their own superheroes and other characters will be drawn to Dennis Sweat’s Comic Book Art. Lastly, Ashlee Chan will be teaching young Mercedians the fundamentals of block printing

Downtown Merced Saturday 5-9pm

MARK YOUR CALENDARS MUSIC 21 January (Humanity + Art) ACTIVITIES 15 April (Animal Awareness + Art) PERFORMERS (Environment + Art) July Family fun 15 For EVERYONE 21 October (Halloween [zombie] + Art)

ART

mercedarthop.org

MAH